2 posts from September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

Ok, all you guys out there who think you're good enough to play pro soccer. Here's your chance! South Florida has two teams with open tryouts coming up. Show 'em what you got!

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have announced they will host an open tryout in Naples, FL on November 16th. The tryouts will take place North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Rd., Naples, FL 34119.

“This gives an opportunity for local players to come out and show us their skills,” said Strikers head coach Gunter Kronsteiner. “It gives us a chance to look for unfound talent throughout South Florida.”

Due to high demand and limited availability, players will be asked to complete registration with payment to confirm their spot. Once all available spots have been filled, registration will be closed without notification. The tryouts are open to all players age 18 and older and the cost to take part in the open tryouts is $125 per player. Interested players can visit the Strikers website at www.strikers.com to fill out the registration form and complete payment.

After completing registration, players will be sent a confirmation from the Strikers.

-Due to the limited availability, once a player pays and is accepted into the tryouts, there are NO REFUNDS. There are no exceptions. We hold the right to refuse and/or decline any player we feel will not benefit from the tryouts.

-After receiving your application and registration fee, a Strikers representative will contact you confirming your spot in the camp.

-Players will be given two shirts with a unique number at registration beginning at 8:00am.

MIAMI UNITED

Miami United, a semi-pro team in the National Premier SoccerLeague, is holding tryouts Oct. 7-9 at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah (4800Palm Ave.) The club plays against regional teams such as Cape Coral Hurricanes,Jacksonville United, and Tampa Marauders. Players 15-20 years old try out from5:30-7 p.m. and “First team’’ players try out from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Entry fee is $50. For registration and information, go to miamiunitedsoccer.com or call 305-318-2026.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

If any dinosaur out there still thinks Americans don't care about soccer, they were not watching ESPN last night. Columbus Crew stadium was rocking with 27,000 sellout for the thrilling US 2-0 ("Dos a Cero!'') World Cup qualifying win over Mexico. Every single fan appeared to be decked in red, white, and blue and the crowd chanted and jumped up and down for nearly the entire match. The US win, combined with Honduras' 2-2 tie with Panama, clinched a World Cup berth for Jurgen Klinsmann's team.

The US is headed to Brazil, its seventh World Cup in a row. I'll be there covering it, and it makes it so much more fun to have our home country competing.

ESPN gave us a 90-minute pre-game show and has been showing highlights and commentary all morning, more proof that the Beautiful Game is finally appreciated and taken seriously by American sports fans. If ESPN says it's important, it's important.

Speaking of ESPN, the overnight numbers are in...and outside of Columbus, the market with the top TV ratings for last night's game was...MIAMI! Of course. Was there any doubt? Miami-Ft. Lauderdale has consistently been the top-rated soccer TV market for the past 10 years. I have no doubt Miami will top TV ratings for the Brazil World Cup next summer, too.

Here's the ESPN release from this morning...

Best Overnight Rating Ever for a FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match

Last night’s ESPN presentation of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, earned a 1.9overnight rating according to Nielsen, based on the metered markets. This is the highest overnight rating for a U.S. Men’s National Team match in a non-FIFA World Cup or FIFA Confederations Cup tournament.

The previous high was a 1.6overnight rating for Mexico vs. USA on March 26, 2013, in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. Final ratings numbers will be available this afternoon.

What are your thoughts on the US team with 9 months to go til World Cup? Do you like the lineup he used last night? (remembering Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and 2 defenders were missing). Share your views with other soccer crazies here!